Azure AD Connect on Windows Server 2012R2 - possibilities ?

Question

Hi, we are working on a hybrid environment. We have Exchange on-premise and Online and we are using Azure AD Connect 1.5.45.0 for now (still working) on Windows Server 2012R2.

What options do I have since this version is replaced, the new one does not work on 2012R2 and we cannot change the server to 2016 this year. I read about "Azure Active Directory Connect cloud sync" but I see that it does not support Exchange hybrid writeback. I'm not sure if I can switch this to a new solution. Please give me some advice.

Answer 1

Thank you for asking this question on the Microsoft Q&A Platform.

You did a great investigation, and you are correct in your approach. Unfortunately, they are not alternative options, in your case you must:

• Install a Windows Server 2016; or
• Complete the migration of your Exchange, so you could use Cloud Sync.

Hope this helps!

---

Accept Answer and Upvote, if any of the above helped, this thread can help others in the community looking for remediation for similar issues.

NOTE: To answer you as quickly as possible, please mention me in your reply.

Answer 2

Hello @ami,

Adding onto suggestion by @Carlos Solís Salazar, as per [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/hybrid/reference-connect-version-history#retiring-azure-ad-connect-1x-versions

As of August 31, 2022, all 1.x versions of Azure AD Connect are retired because they include SQL Server 2012 components that will no longer be supported. Also, We will begin retiring past versions of Azure AD Connect Sync 2.x 12 months from the date they are superseded by a newer version. This policy will go into effect on 15 March 2023, when we will retire all versions that are superseded by a newer version on 15 March 2022.

Thanks,

Akshay Kaushik

Please "Accept the answer", "Upvote" and share your feedback (Yes/No) if the suggestion works as per your business need. This will help us and others in the community as well.

Answer 3

I have the same problem.

But https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/hybrid/cloud-sync/what-is-cloud-sync#how-is-microsoft-entra-connect-cloud-sync-different-from-microsoft-entra-connect-sync does list Exchange hybrid writeback for Cloud Sync.